CN1226935C - Method to print multicolor images on edible pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Description

The method and apparatus of printing multicolor image on food, and the carrier bar that uses

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of on food the method for printing image.The present invention be more particularly directed on the non-planar surface of snack and medicine/tablet, form the method for multicolor image.The invention still further relates to and be used to realize the equipment of the inventive method and on its non-planar surface, have the molded food product that a polychrome is aimed at composograph.

Background technology

Numerous food product all has the sugar-coat external coating.This outer sugarcoating layer can play multiple effect, comprising: preserve internal component and attracting outside is provided.In addition, outer sugarcoating layer can play the effect of a matrix, can form image or pattern on this matrix.These images or pattern can be distinguishing marks for example, as M﹠amp; M ' S ^" M " on the chocolate, or be used to mark mark about the internal component of medicine or nutrients additive.

The known pattern that adopts several different methods on viand, to form a kind of color.For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,052,552 have just disclosed a kind ofly chewing gum tablet being cut into many independently before the chewing gum, and chewing gum tablet is carried out method of printing.

U.S. Patent No. 5,834,047 has disclosed a kind of like this method, that is: by partially filled in mould and curing sweet material, edible inks is dispensed on the mixture of curing through an etched plate, and fill the remainder of mould, thereby in sweet products, impress out shape with multiple color with sweet material.

We wish can be at high speed on the surface of food, particularly on its non-planar surface, form multicolor patterns.By applying a series of images that each image is solid color, can produce multicolor patterns easily.Accumulative effect is multicolor image or pattern.These images multiple apply require each image that applies all can with the image that applies before and any after the image registration that applies, to obtain desirable composograph.Not the image of registration can cause defiling, crooked, reprint or other wrong and underproof result.

The printing process of multiple color is known in the printing technology of non-food article.These methods comprise letterpress, print printing, hectographic printing, inking roller printing, aniline printing, intaglio printing, ink jet printing and serigraphy.But, with these methods directly be diverted on food, carry out polychrome printing than the difficulty, particularly on non-planar surface, print.The item that will consider the processing of food and handling of paper or polymer sheet are different.Usually, food requirement is more carefully handled damage or the distortion to prevent food.In addition, handle food and require higher cleannes usually.

It is known being used for carrying out multiple method of printing on large-sized solid article (as bottle and other storage bottle).U.S. Patent No. 3,335,658 have disclosed a kind of machine, its can transfer dish or endless belt on printing station and the dry station of each article by being provided with the specific range increment, these distance increments are not the circumferential distances that can be divided into dish or endless belt equably.U.S. Patent No. 3,735,699 have disclosed a kind of like this equipment, and this equipment can apply the contact of rolling between the article fixing by a mechanical fastener and middle band or roller.Described band or roller image can be transferred to contacted, by on the article of mechanical fixation.U.S. Patent No. 4,519,310 have disclosed a large amount of ink transport to the single inking roller, a hydrostatic column is pressed against on the inking roller, and the slewing circle cylindrical container with the ink image transfer printing on hydrostatic column.Above-mentioned patent all can be in this application with reference to using.

The method that forms multicolor image on the food as cake and biscuit so also is known.U.S. Patent No. 4,578,273 disclosed a kind of by forming hard, an atresia sugar-coat face and utilizing one or more edible inks on hard of this sugar-coat, to carry out method of printing.In order to utilize the disc type flexopress to print, manually each article is placed on the mobile mandrel.U.S. Patent No. 4,670,271 disclose a kind of food impression box, when will be by one the most advanced and sophisticated pressure that produces be applied to it on the flexible transfer sheet with colouring agent the time, described impression box can be transferred to a kind of edible coloring agent on the food.U.S. Patent No. 5,534,281 have disclosed a kind of method of utilizing a chaptrel transfer printing brush mechanism to make printing food, and wherein, described rotary press is synchronous with the dough former as rotary cutter or rotating mould.U.S. Patent No. 5,505,775 have disclosed a kind of cake printing system, and this system is equipped with a transfer arm that extends through the cake surface, and this transfer arm is equipped with one and has the painted box that drips device on the painted extrusion system of needs that is subjected to central processing unit control.A porous drippage device on the painted extrusion system of needs allows once to carry out the printing of three kinds of colors.Above-mentioned patent all can be in this application with reference to using.

Other method that is used for formation multicolor pattern on the flat aspect of candy is known.International patent publication No.WO97/16075 has disclosed and carried out polychrome printing on the flat layer of the chewing gum that is arranged in a groove, and the diameter of described groove is greater than the flat layer diameter of chewing gum.Before printing, the public side that utilizes a guide rail to make chewing gum tablet lean against groove laterally moves, still, be not provided with that any device is avoided since groove diameter greater than vertically moving of being produced of chewing gum diameter, deflection or cunning partially.The document points out to use a vacuum system in this equipment to remove to drop on the excessive starch between the lath of carrying bed, removes dust simultaneously, and this vacuum system helps colloid piece is fixed on the conveyer.But, the document does not disclose or provides the enlightenment of relevant grooving, described grooving is under the situation that can not cause deflection or slide partially, can be in the preposition place along the horizontal and vertical food that makes, and this grooving can comprise a perforate, this perforate with can between first printing station and second printing station, keep the vacuum plant of formed food registration to be communicated with.

Be suitable at present on food, particularly the method for printing multicolor image all is subjected to certain restriction on its productivity ratio on the non-planar surface of food.In the geometric scope of each food of image print request at each print steps of carrying out on the various food, all should aim at.Described aligning is called as registration.Polychrome printing requires can realize registration along a plurality of directions.In addition, and on flat horizontal surface, print differently, on on-plane surface, carry out print request and also will overlap aligning aspect the on-plane surface profile.Therefore, must guarantee that food can not produce swing, sideslip or deflection from a printing station to next printing station.

Usually, in production in enormous quantities, should make large numbers of items with respect to fixing usually printing station motion.As above patent was disclosed, articles conveyed method was known.The application can disclose a kind of flaky material conveyer that is made of many carrier bars with reference to the U.S. Patent No. of using 5,836,243, and wherein every carrier bar all has the surface that defines a plurality of grooves.In the document, also disclosed and helped to make flaky material to be arranged in the brush of groove.

The application can be with reference to the U.S. Patent No. of using 4,671,892 have disclosed and a kind ofly are used to carry and utilize two print heads sheet article to be carried out the equipment of mark, wherein, described print head is to be provided with along the arc transfer printing path of transfer drum, so that to monochromatic sign of opposite side coating of tablet thing product.The application can disclose a kind of capsule or tablet (goods) printing machine with reference to the U.S. Patent No. of using 5,423,252, makes vacuum plant act on the vacuum hole that is arranged in the article receiving slit below conveyer belt.In one embodiment, first printing element 110 prints in a side of article, and another printing element 110 ' then prints in second side of article.But the document is not disclosed in the first and second printing station places and a vacuum plant is set between these printing stations, makes registration between first and second sides that are printed on article, or special vacuum hole or carrier bar.

Merge component image so that the most of patterns that are combined to form a polychrome composograph except the lengthwise movement direction of article, also require to realize registration on a plurality of directions.Must realize the registration of crosscut lengthwise movement direction, produce accidental skew to avoid image.Also must also realize registration in three-dimensional with lengthwise movement direction and quadrature transverse.At last, for non-planar surface, particularly importantly, must all realize registration with respect to any three rotating orthogonal axis that with each article are the center.

Method recited above usually require to make each article all be fixed on one can be mechanically, fix in the anchor clamps or retainer of each article with the registration relation.For production in enormous quantities, except make food (as cake) with poor efficiency, the speed of manual aligning method also is very slow.Above-mentioned mechanical fixation method also requires can occur synthetic component non-aligned, that rupture or stop up under high production speed.In addition, numerous food product all is frangible and is unsuitable for the required mechanical force of the high production speed maintenance abundant registration of printing.

U.S. Patent No. 5,534,281 can utilize inherent viscosity of dough to make bakery product with suitable speed of production, wherein, described dough should fully stick on the continuous conveyer, to guarantee can not produce relative motion between dough and the conveyer belt, so that form correct aiming at and registration with printing equipment.Owing to must carefully control different manufacturing steps to avoid destroying the bonding between each article and the conveyer belt, therefore, depend on each article or carry adhesive method on its speed of production, to be restricted.In addition, retrained speed of production about the just in time opposite understanding of the viscosity of adhesive bond.Print speed printing speed is high more, just requires high more viscosity, but high more discharge rate but requires low more viscosity.In other words, higher viscosity can be fixed on article due position more firmly, and to allow in press to form higher productivity ratio, still higher viscosity but can stop the described article of quick release after printing.Therefore, said method can not carry out polychrome printing with high production speed on the non-planar surfaces of food surface, particularly food.

At present, owing to be very difficult to apply continuous images in the mark of the non-planar surfaces of food, therefore, when producing in enormous quantities at a high speed, the pattern that is applied to the non-planar surfaces of food only limits to monochromatic pattern (maybe can be different colours but not related a plurality of independently pattern).That is, after having applied an image, before applying next image, food can move, and therefore, can cause the image can not registration.Therefore, be desirable to provide a kind of can be with high manufacturing speed at food surface, particularly on the non-planar surfaces of food, form a plurality of images.

Summary of the invention

The present invention can print out the multicolor image that is formed by at least two component images by keeping the food registration from a printing station to another printing station on food surface.By for example exerting pressure poor and/or, food being firmly-fixed on the conveyor surface, to guarantee registration by with respect to carrying groove mechanical grip food.

The present invention relates to a kind ofly on food, form the method for a plurality of images, said method comprising the steps of: i) on the surface of a food, form an image, to form first folder at the first printing station place in abundant registration mode; Ii) folder is delivered to second printing station and by difference that the part of described folder is exerted pressure to make described folder remain on an assigned position place in the delivery chute effectively, can keep from the described folder of described first printing station registration relation with respect to described second printing station; And iii) on described folder, form one second image, keep described registration relation simultaneously.In one embodiment of the invention, at least one non-planar surface of food, form a plurality of images of abundant registration.In another embodiment of the present invention, at the place, fixed position, the food that keeps being printed is resisted against on the elastic part of carrying groove.

An alternative embodiment of the invention relates to the method that forms a plurality of images in abundant registration mode on food, said method comprising the steps of: i) form an image on the surface of a formed food, to form first folder at the first printing station place; Ii) described folder is delivered to second printing station and carries between a groove and the holder, can keep from the described folder of described first printing station registration relation with respect to described second printing station by described folder being clipped in a part; Iii) on described folder, form one second image, keep described registration relation simultaneously.The printing surface of food is preferably non-planar.

An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a kind of like this equipment, and this equipment is used for printing out a multicolor image that is formed by at least two component images at least one surface of a large amount of food.Described equipment comprises: one first printing station, and it can print one first component image effectively at the first printing station place on described food; And one second printing station, its can be at the second printing station place second component image after one of the printing on the surface at described food effectively.A conveyor surface makes food granule move to second printing position from first printing position.Conveyor surface comprises a plurality of conveying groove parts, and each groove part all can receive viand.Groove part preferably is suitable for receiving a formed food with at least one non-planar surfaces.Each carries groove part to include a perforate that is connected with a vacuum source.Described perforate is applied decompression pressure, effectively food is fixed on due position, so that remain on first component image and the relation of the registration between the second component image on the food surface.In a desirable especially embodiment, each carries groove to include an elastic part.Elastic part and decompression pressure fitted during the conveying of first printing station to the second printing station, are clamped in the conveying groove part at place, fixed position food, to keep the registration relation of first component image and second component image.

An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a kind of like this equipment, and this equipment is used for printing out a multicolor image that is formed by at least two component images at least one surface of a large amount of food.Described equipment comprises: one first printing station, and it can print one first component image effectively at place, first printing position on described food; One second printing station, it can be at the second component image place, second printing position prints effectively on described food surface after.The conveyor surface that is used for food is moved to from first printing position second printing position comprises a plurality of conveying groove parts.For each carries groove part, be equipped with at least one holder, carry in the groove part effectively food is clamped in movably, so that keep the registration between first component image and the second component image to concern.Each carries groove all to be suitable for receiving a food, and better is to be suitable for receiving the food with at least one non-planar surface.

The invention still further relates to a kind of formed food, it has a polychrome composograph, and at least two component images of at least one non-planar lip-deep edibility printing ink form this composograph in the formed food by being coated in.It is desirable to especially, formed food comprises shaped confectionary food and drug capsules, tablet or tablet.Better is, food of the present invention is the candy with French beans, ellipse, sphere or analogous shape, it would be desirable, described food is the candy that is coated with sugarcoating layer, as M﹠amp; M ' S ^Chocolate, Skittle ^Candy and analog.

Formed food used herein means it is not in fact the food of sheet.This food can have flat shape, the combination of molded non-planar or plane and molded non-planar.One object of the present invention comprises the method for handling and carrying formed food, and method of the present invention can solve traditional processing and carry existing technical problem in the method for sheet-like food.

In most preferred embodiment, formed food of the present invention has at least one non-plane print face.Non-planar surfaces used herein is the arbitrary surfaces with certain curvature radius.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is the profile of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is the profile of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is the face figure of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is the profile with one embodiment of the invention of two printing stations.

Fig. 7 is the profile of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 A is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 B is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is the profile of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 A is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 B is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is the schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 is the schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is the schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 is the schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 is the schematic side elevation of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 17 is the schematic top view in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 16.

The specific embodiment

Method of the present invention is by keeping the location of each food from a printing station to another printing station making each component pattern registration each other effectively, thereby forms the composograph that is made of at least two component images on food.By with respect between printing station, carrying the surface of food to make each food remain on constant orientation, can keep the registration of each component image.Fixed the location of food by the groove part that makes each food be securely fixed in feed surface with respect to feed surface.

As mentioned above, polychrome printing is meant that forming a kind of by a series of component images for example can be the image (composograph) of the mixture of figure, symbol or symbol and figure.Each component image can be figure and/or symbol also, and each component image can have different colors, identical color, different tones, or different value of colours.Each component image all can be for example by line, point, monochromatic area, the color density district of variation or being combined to form of they.

Usually, according to the accepted practice in the lithographic printing, each composograph in polychrome printing all corresponding a kind of " color ".But under the situation of particular design, a kind of component image itself can be formed by more than a kind of color.For example, a printing station can form the one-component image by an ink gun that can apply two or more colors.However, " polychrome " used herein is meant by at least two printing stations and forms component image; Regard the example of double-colored ink gun as a printing station.Therefore, the present invention's imagination is by utilizing two printing stations, and one of them prints three kinds of colors for double-colored ink gun station forms two component images.But owing to compare with using the polychrome printing head, the printing of solid color allows output faster, and therefore preferably each printing station all adopts a kind of color.

Each component image forms by a kind of technology that is called printing.Can schematically describe with routine manufacturing process manufacturing printing at a high speed in enormous quantities food by series of process.At first, can form food by technical known method or by the method for not developing as yet.Subsequently, distribute these food according to a kind of scheme of being convenient to design usually, so that provide typography to each food.Particularly, food should be dispensed on the conveyor surface that when food receives described component image, can transmit food.When food passes through a printing station, form each component image at each printing station place.

Fig. 6 has schematically described equipment 606 of the present invention.First printing station 601 and second printing station 602 have been shown in the accompanying drawings.As shown in the figure, conveyor surface 603 is used for the food (not shown) is delivered to second printing station 602 from first printing station 601.First printing station 601 can print out first component image on the food at 604 places, first printing position, and second printing station 602 can print out the second component image on the food at 605 places, second printing position.Conveyor surface 603 keeps the registration relation of first component image and second component image.Obviously, also be suitable for adding other printing station so that more component image (more " color ") is provided.In addition, obviously, must make food keep registration, but also can keep this registration before first printing station 604 and after second printing station 605 as required from 604 to second printing positions 605, first printing position.

Best first component image is dry before printing second component image.Can change drying time and drying condition to be suitable for the requirement of different printing method or image.Can not cause under the situation of restriction, the method that changes drying time or drying condition comprises: the speed that changes conveying equipment; Change air (or other gas) amount that during drying influences food; Change the condition (for example relative humidity and temperature) of the air (or other gas) that during drying influences food; And the distance between the change printing station.

Though by at least two printing stations and one effectively remain on image that each printing station place forms separately from each other the conveyor surface of registration the present invention has been described, but the present invention also comprises: keep conveyor surface stable after making food be distributed on the conveyor surface, the mobile printing station is so that the printing component image simultaneously.Therefore, conveyor surface for example can be a batch process face, and it has the reception groove of the present invention that is used to receive food.After described groove has been installed additional food, make printing station on food, print out component image in order.In addition, conveyor surface and printing station all are transportable, as long as can keep the registration relation from printing position, first printing position to the second.

One aspect of the present invention is: food can keep stationary positioned with conveyor surface from a printing station to another printing station, so that keep the registration of each component image.Under the situation that keeps locating with conveyor surface at food, described registration will depend on the accuracy of conveyor surface, compare with the motion of numerous food product, and this conveyor surface is more manageable.

Usually, measure the composograph registration that forms by at least the first component image and second component image and depart from its distance in composograph with respect to the design attitude of second component image as first component image.Registration remained on is better than 1/64 " (0.40mm) be comparatively ideal, better is registration to be remained on be better than 10/1000 " (0.25mm), it would be desirable registration remained on to be better than 2/1000 " (0.05mm).Just be better than 1/64 " (0.40mm), its mean the one-component image with respect to another component image, with food on the design attitude difference be better than 1/64 " (0.40mm) in.With regard to skew error, should measure its distance differing the maximum deviation place with design attitude.Registration error is at least two component images of provisioning request printing and measure the maximum deviation distance of one-component image with respect to another component image really.

The registration error amount that obviously, can receive depends on the structure and the size of food.Must make described registration remain on higher standard so as with the M﹠amp that is about 14.4mm at minimum diameter; M ' S ^Form proportional bigger double-colored funny face on the Peanut confectionery and compare, can for example be about the MiniM﹠amp of 9.3mm at diameter; M ' S ^Form double-colored funny face on the chocolate.

Can use food littler or more oversized shape it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that arbitrarily.

Figure 13 has provided an example of composograph 1300, and this image is formed on the lenticular shaped candy 1305.Composograph 1300 is made of first component image 1302 and the second component image 1303 that are printed in the substrate 1301.In this embodiment, component image 1302 is a black image, and second component image 1303 is a white image.

Referring to Figure 14, as shown in the figure, composograph 1400 is formed on the lenticular shaped candy 1405.Composograph 1400 is made of first component image 1402 and the second component image 1403 that are printed in the substrate 1401.In this embodiment, component image 1402 is a black image, and second component image 1403 is a white image.

Referring to Figure 15, as shown in the figure, composograph 1500 is formed on the lenticular shaped candy 1505.Composograph 1500 is made of first component image 1502 and the second component image 1503 that are printed in the substrate 1501.In this embodiment, component image 1502 is a black image, and second component image 1503 is a white image.

Obviously, the color of above-mentioned component image is determined by employed edible inks.As everyone knows, can use ink to realize for example ideal characterisitics of color, tone, shading value and opacity in this area.

One embodiment of the present of invention are suitable for receiving the groove of food and by apply decompression pressure in the perforate of groove food are firmly remained in the groove and the location that can keep food and conveyor surface by providing.Therefore, by being applied to vacuum pressure or the decompression pressure on the food, food is securely fixed in the groove.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is suitable for receiving groove food, that have elastic part and by apply decompression pressure in the perforate of groove food is remained in the groove by providing, and can keep the location of food and conveyor surface.Described elastic part is consistent with the food profile phase.Therefore, vacuum pressure or decompression pressure by applying on food can make food be fixed in the groove firmly.

The printing of each component image all can be adopted the typography of any conventional, for example hectographic printing, flexography, ink jet printing or printing printing.Compare with other printing process, print printing higher definition can be provided, but productivity ratio can reduce greatly.Because hectographic printing and flexography have lower cost and very high productivity ratio, therefore, hectographic printing and flexography are comparatively ideal.But as mentioned below, for having softer or more coarse surface, ink jet printing is comparatively ideal.

The food that is used for the inventive method can be the formed food of any conventional, as candy, nut, biscuit, multivitamin, tablet, capsule, capsule sheet, flat candy, compacting candy, sugared beans, rice, beans, pasta, animal food piece, animal crackers, ice cream and analog.Described food preferably has the non-planar surfaces that can print composograph.

Method of the present invention allows to be printed on the food with the composograph of high yield with registration.Desirable output per hour is at least 200,000 food, and better per hour is 400,000 food, it is desirable to very much per hour 500,000 food.Top output is described with total output.In the multiple tracks machine, also available per hour, the food in each road describes described output.In a most preferred embodiment, output preferably is at least each road, per hour 1,000, and better is each road, per hour greater than 1,000.It would be desirable each road, per hour greater than 5,000.

In a kind of offset print technology, at first make the etching negative-appearing image on the described image formation etched roll.Make etched roll coat ink effectively the ink erect image is transferred on the rubber rollers.Subsequently, firmly contact with receiving surface by making ink image, thereby ink image is transferred to receiving surface.When utilizing offset print technology, the receiving surface of each food must be enough firm (being easy to be determined by a technical staff of this area), so that not causing under the situation of damage, can receive the printing rubber rollers.Therefore, for the food with soft or friable surface (for example, biscuit, baked goods or chocolate bar), preferably the hard shell as sugared shell surrounds food.Under very firm state, make other food, thereby can print these food by the hectographic printing that need not coating.The rice of the drying that this food comprises dried noodle cake for example, give birth to, beans and tablet, capsule sheet and the tablet of drying.Ice cream is made by the frozen crust that enough firmly plays the receiving plane effect of hectographic printing usually.

In printing typography, make the convex surfaces on the image formation marking roll.Ink is coated on the described raised surface, and, image is transferred on the receiving plane by raised surface is pressed against on the receiving surface securely.In this technology, to compare with the robustness that hectographic printing is required, receiving plane needs firmer usually and is easy to be determined by those skilled in the art.

In the inking roller printing, compare with offset print technology, ink is applied on the negative etching pattern.Make with the erect image form and to be transferred to an elastic surface printer's ink that can print to the receiving plane with black image and to roll on.

In ink-jet printing process, ink is coated on the receiving plane as ink particle or particulate stream.Therefore, owing to except ink sprays, can not form contact, therefore, can on soft or frangible face, form image.

However, when utilizing vacuum pressure or pressure differential to keep food with respect to the position of conveyor surface, food must have and is easy to the enough low porous determined by those skilled in the art, and is poor with corresponding institute applied pressure, makes food press, be provided with or be fixed on the conveyor surface securely.

Referring to Fig. 1, shown conveying matrix 100 with the section of crosscut throughput direction.Matrix 100 is bearing on the pedestal 103.Matrix 100 comprises a plurality of grooves 101 that are suitable for receiving the food (not shown).Groove 101 comprises the perforate 102 that at least one can be communicated with at least one chamber 104.Decompression pressure is contained in chamber 104, this pressure by a vavuum pump (not shown), enter hole 105 through at least one vavuum pump and provide.

Matrix 100, promptly conveyor surface can be made of the suitable material (as metal, polymer, plastics, composite or pottery) of any conventional.Matrix 100 can adopt conventionally form arbitrarily, for example tape loop, dish, ring-shaped article or pin bed.Matrix 100 can be formed by a plurality of conventional elements (as band steel or fan-shaped edge flat).In addition, each element can comprise one or more recessed portions.For example, can be in the application with reference to the United States Patent (USP) NO.5 that uses, disclosed a kind of mobile matrix in 433,146.

A seal (not shown) can be set, to help in chamber 104, keeping decompression pressure between element.This class sealing for example can be by being machined to element fit tolerance closely, by airtight and watertight padding is set between element, stride across the encapsulant in crack between the element by setting,, and form by fluid, semi liquid state or the elastomeric material that deposition between element is fit to for example referring to Fig. 7.

By (not shown) any conventional method well known in the art, for example by directly or by any gear, belt pulley, chain or sprocket wheel act on stepper motor on the matrix, motor or servo motor can make matrix 100 motions continuously; It comprises United States Patent (USP) NO.5, the method shown in 433,146.Usually, the motion of matrix is matched with printing station.Can utilize any traditional method, as through cooperation (not shown) as described in gear, belt pulley, chain or sprocket wheel are achieved arbitrarily.For example at United States Patent (USP) NO.5, disclosed this cooperation in 433,146.

Pedestal 103 can be made by conventional material (as metal, polymer, compound or pottery) arbitrarily.Pedestal 103 can adopt arbitrarily shape and can comprise one or more supporting members 107 or pressurised dispenser, to help to overcome the shape that the pressure differential of crossing matrix keeps matrix 100.Supporting member 107 can comprise one or more sliding parts 108 selectively, to help matrix 100 with respect to pedestal 103 motions.Sliding part 108 is suitable for adopting smooth polymer, as polyfluoro fluidized polymer or nylon.Sliding part also can adopt conventional mechanical element arbitrarily, as roller bearing, ball bearing, oiling bronze guide plate or smooth metal.Supporting member 107 can include arbitrarily and help distribute the one or more perforates 109 that reduce pressure through chamber 104.

Optional seal 106 should help to keep-up pressure in chamber 104.Preferably include and to make the pump capacity requirement reduce to minimum seal 106.Seal 106 can be to seal arbitrarily, as a nylon part, a kind of interlock etc.Seal 106 also can play the effect of sliding part.

Groove 101 can adopt the conventional shape that can effectively receive suitable item with consistent basically orientation.These shapes should be convenient to the shape of food that receives is corresponding.The shape of groove also can be sentenced in the precalculated position laterally, vertical reaching makes food be positioned at inside grooves rotationally, and also help to prevent the deflection and the sideslip of food.But the shape of groove 101 has very big-difference with the shape of food that is received, so that be delivered on the matrix from input supply station reception food and with it.For example each piece document all can be in this application with reference to having disclosed these shapes in the United States Patent(USP) Nos. 5,433,146,5,768,996,5,836,243 and 5,655,453 that uses.At Fig. 3, provided other example of groove in 4 and 5.

Be used for non-planar surface that groove of the present invention preferably can allow the surface, particularly food of food be positioned near groove the surface-promptly, with opposite with " relief printing plate " printing, the printing among the present invention should be " protrusion (proud) ".Therefore, the degree of depth of groove should be less than the food thickness that records from the food print surface, so that allow described surface to protrude and with respect to the rat near groove.This projection is printed with and is beneficial to a plurality of non-planar surface that food is provided to typography.Therefore, with on the non-planar surface of food or the part of food be lower than and carry out letterpress near the surperficial part of groove and compare, can print the non-planar surface of most of food.

Vacuum or pressure differential can be by conventional methods arbitrarily, as providing by the crossflow (Bernoulli effect) that utilizes vavuum pump and cross vacuum hole.

Figure 16 schematically illustrates whole induction system, and this system comprises a tape loop L, and this tape loop comprises for example a plurality of carrier bars on the chain that are fixed to, and described chain transmits around a series of sprocket wheel S.Funnel H contains many formed foods, when described tape loop L when the clockwise direction shown in the arrow A moves, in the conveying groove that these formed foods is received in be formed in each carrier bar.The upside running stroke of tape loop L comprises three printing element 1-3, and when food passed through in its lower section, these printing elements can print out the image of registration on food.After printing, food is fallen in the material storing box B.

Printing element 3 can form part assembly M, by shortening chain and removing the carrier bar of some, can easily remove this assembly from tape loop L.On the contrary, by adding reel chain and adding carrier bar, can increase more assembly M.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first vavuum pump V1 can control the pressure between each printing element 1-3 place and the printing element.Below printing station 1-3, be provided with pressure charging system.Apply vacuum pressure P1 to pressure charging system first and second parts that are arranged in next-door neighbour's first and second printing elements 1 below respectively.Pressure P 1 preferably is higher than vacuum pressure P2, and described vacuum pressure P2 is applied to the third part of the pressure charging system between first and second printing elements 1 and 2.Can use a valve system to utilize single vavuum pump to form different pressure with formation.Because food tends on the print roller attached to printing element 1 and 2, therefore, vacuum pressure P1 should be higher than vacuum pressure P2.For example, according to articles conveyed type, vavuum pump V1 has the motor that volume is the 6-8 horsepower of 300-400cfm (cubic feet/minute).Vavuum pump V2 can form the part of assembly M, and according to articles conveyed type, it can be to have 5.5 horsepowers the motor that volume is 240cfm.Because vavuum pump V1 providing vacuum pressure below printing element 1 and 2 and between these printing elements, and vavuum pump V2 is only to the 3rd printing element 3 and pressure is provided between printing element 2 and 3, and therefore, vavuum pump V2 can be less than vavuum pump V1.

Figure 17 show vavuum pump and side by side shown in a carrier bar CB schematic plan view.Each booster that is arranged in each printing element print roller below all is subjected to the effect of vacuum pressure P1 and the width that its width is approximately equal to or less than carrier bar CB.The booster that combines with print roller extends transverse to the direction of motion of tape loop L, and promptly the column direction among Figure 17 extends.On the contrary, in a most preferred embodiment, make a plurality of sub-boosters between the printing element that is subjected to vacuum pressure P2 effect, and the traffic direction that follows endless belt L is that line direction among Figure 17 extends.Each recess R in the carrier bar CB is in line.As shown in Figure 1, the booster of adjacent lines orientation can communicate with each other through the hole in the supporting member 107 109.

In Figure 16, only print in a side of food.But, print also and should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention in the both sides of food.For example, can disclose a kind of inclined-plane loader with reference to the United States Patent (USP) 5,878,658 of the Ackley that uses, this loader comprises a bilateral printing machine that is used for tablet and capsule, and it can use with inclined-plane feeder shown in Figure 16.

Between image applies, can require in the special-purpose of pressurized treatments step, can provide pressure differential easily by the pressure differential between rising pressure and the atmospheric pressure (or low-pressure).However, preferably provide decompression pressure to guarantee making food be firmly-fixed to groove.

As mentioned above, be between a certain amount of high pressure and a certain amount of low pressure, can on food, act on vacuum or pressure, be resisted against on the conveyor surface securely to force food effectively by making food.By conventional method, at least one perforate for example is set in conveyor surface, be communicated with a certain amount of low pressure to make a certain amount of high pressure effectively, form this pressure differential with this.By making viand be positioned at the top of at least one described perforate, make the masterpiece that produces by pressure gap be used for food, thereby force the food in the groove to be resisted against on the conveyor surface.

The typography of having utilized printing surface to contact with receiving plane makes receiving plane be subjected to the effect of power, and this power when printing surface leaves receiving plane, tends to promote receiving plane towards printing surface after printing.This promotion is that the ink that occurred by moment between receiving plane and printing surface and the elasticity of printing surface produce.Ink plays the work of binding material in order to promote receiving plane towards printing surface between two surfaces; Make the resilience of elasticity printing surface be transferred to printing surface, so that promote receiving plane along the direction identical with the resilience printing surface.

Therefore, compare with the printing operation that carries out at the printing station place, when food is between the printing station, the position that needs less power to keep food.So one embodiment of the present of invention are at printing station 601 and 602 places, particularly 604 and 605 places provide additional vacuum plant in the printing position, so that reduce to minimum to the requirement of decompression supply.That is, when food is not located in the printing position, the decompression pressure low to the food effect.Any conventional method of knowing by the technical staff for example by conduit, deflector, can be carried out this pressure distribution by additional pump or by volume difference.

In the detachable components that is fixed to a conveyor surface, also can form groove.Referring to Fig. 3, element 300 has a groove 301 that is suitable for receiving food 320.At least one perforate 302 and the decompression pressure communication that provides by the corresponding perforate on the conveyor surface (not shown).Can pass through arbitrary method, as bolt, screw, anchor clamps or binding agent with as described in element be fixed on the conveyor surface.

In an example, so that food products transport to the section of the longitudinal cutting of printing machine has been shown element 300.In this example, it is very long that element 300 is preferably in the direction that enters paper, and this element can be lath or bar.When being lath, element 300 preferably contains many grooves 301.By the United States Patent (USP) NO.5 that can be used in combination in this application, described lath can be installed or remove to 630,499 described a kind of quick release mechanisms.Fig. 3 has shown alternative installing hole 312, by these installing holes, and respective threads hole dismounting element 300 in conveyor surface selectively.

In another example,, also can element 300 be described by Fig. 3 as along the profile of carrying longitudinally.In this case, preferably a plurality of elements 300 are installed with the horizontal row of crosscut.

Referring to Fig. 4, has a groove 401 that is suitable for receiving food 420 along the element 400 shown in the section of the longitudinal direction of crosscut operation.At least one perforate 402 and the decompression pressure communication that provides by the corresponding perforate on the conveyor surface (not shown).Selectable installing hole 412A and 412B allow element 400 to install with respect to conveyor surface.In this case, the formation of element 400 should allow the installing hole 412A of an element 400 can be overlapping with the installing hole 412B of another element 400 ' (not shown), thereby for for example in the batch process that printing station is moved with respect to the food array, be desirable to provide situation, a surface with roughly adjacency of regular grooves distributed 401 can be provided with the food of plane arrangement.

Under the situation that for example adopts tape loop, the overlapping geometry of the left and right sides of element 400 can provide to make reduces to minimum sealing to the requirement of vavuum pump.

Adopt groove 401 to help loading of pieces 420.Food is arrived and the corresponding proper position of groove from the food that funnel falls and promotes to fall.At United States Patent(USP) Nos. 5,433, disclosed the method that article is dispensed to place, fixed position in the array in 146,5,768,996,5,863,243,5,655,453 and 5,630,499.Described promotion also can comprise the method for any conventional, as by vibration, sweeping, or by funnel with receive the effect of the design geometry of conveyor surface.After food 420 is in the tram, apply vacuum securely food 420 is fixed on the element 400.

Referring to Fig. 7, the element shown in the section 700 longitudinally that moves with crosscut has a groove 701 that is suitable for receiving viand 720.At least one perforate 702 and the decompression pressure communication that provides by corresponding perforate (not shown) on the conveyor surface.Joint tongue 712B cooperates with groove 712A so that provide vacuum seal between a plurality of elements 700 that are disposed on the conveyor surface.Element 700 can be fixed on the conveyor surface by utilizing the magnetic coil (not shown) that conveyor surface is applied the magnetic pull that magnetic field produces.Groove 701 has elastic part or the O-ring that helps that food 720 is remained on the position should be arranged.The profile phase of elastic part 721 and food 720 meets and helps to keep to be applied to the decompression pressure of food 720.

Preferably food can be pushed to the proper position of respective slot with the position of perforate of decompression pressure communication.

Also can directly on conveyor surface, form groove with elastic part.As mentioned above, these elastic parts can be formed by rubber, urethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nylon and analog.

In another kind of embodiment, make food be positioned at the groove that surface portion is formed by a kind of elastomeric material.Fig. 2 has shown a kind of conveying matrix 200 with the section of crosscut throughput direction.Matrix 200 is by supporting member 203 supportings.Similar to Fig. 1, supporting member 203 selectively comprises sliding part 208.Matrix 200 comprises a plurality of grooves 201 that are suitable for receiving the food (not shown).Groove 201 comprises the elastic part 244 that at least one is formed by a kind of elastomeric material.Groove 201 also comprises at least one and the perforate 202 that reduces pressure communication.In this example, volume governor (volume) 224 can provide decompression pressure to perforate 202.Volume governor 224 has decompression pressure, and this pressure can be provided as rotary vacuum pump and reciprocating vacuum pump by traditional generation source (not shown) arbitrarily.

Elastic part 244 can be by conventional method (as the surface portion coating one deck resilient coating at groove 201) formation arbitrarily.Resilient coating can be convenient to be formed by for example rubber, silicones, synthetic rubber and analog.Elastic part 244 also can be formed by one or more inserts 204, and described insert is made by same as described above or similar elastomeric material.

As previously described groove l01, groove 201 can adopt the suitable shape that can receive instant food arbitrarily effectively with consistent basically orientation.

Referring to Fig. 5, element 500 comprises a groove 501 that is suitable for receiving food 520.Elastic part 502 forms the elastic surface part of groove 501.Holding flange 512 allows to make a plurality of elements to be fixed on the conveyor surface 513 that is provided with respective fixation flange receiving slit.By dog screw or tang (not shown), element can be fixed on the receiving slit.At least one perforate 524B on the element 500 is communicated with at least one perforate 524A on the conveyor surface 513.Provide decompression pressure through perforate 524A and 524B, to keep the position of food 520 securely with respect to element 500.

In another example, Figure 10 carries the section of longitudinal direction to show a plurality of slat element 1000 with crosscut.Slat element 1000 has the groove 1001 that is suitable for receiving food 1020.Groove 1001 comprises a poroelasticity part 1002.The groove 1024B that is communicated with perforate 1024A in the conveyor surface 1013 allows through poroelasticity part 1002 the decompression pressure in the volume governor 1004 to be acted on the food 1020, to keep the position of food 1020 with respect to element 1000.

As mentioned above, can make the non-planar surface of food be positioned at the top of above-mentioned conveyor surface.In one embodiment, should before printing, promote food.Referring to Figure 11 A, the element shown in the crosscut throughput direction comprises a groove 1101 that is suitable for receiving viand 1120 in this embodiment.Groove 1101 comprises that at least one is suitable for the perforate of annular sleeve 1122.Sleeve pipe 1122 comprises at least one perforate 1124, can act on the food 1120 with the decompression pressure of permission from volume governor 1104.Sleeve pipe 1122 is according to profile or cam surface 1130 motions.

Shown in Figure 11 B, contoured surface 1130 can upwards promote sleeve pipe 1122 and promote food 1122 with the surface from element 1100.Must be by for example sleeve pipe and receiver hole being carried out suitable processing so that they have the turning or the flange (not shown) prevents that sleeve pipe 1122 from rotating.Alternatively, can between sleeve pipe 1122 and contoured surface 1130, guide be set, roller and sliding part.

In another example, reduce sleeve pipe so that can be near the non-planar surface of conveyor surface top.Figure 12 is along vertical (the carrying food from left to right) of carrying, shown a plurality of elements 1200 with section.Element 1200 comprises a groove 1201 that is suitable for receiving food 1220.Groove 1201 comprises that at least one is suitable for receiving the perforate of sleeve pipe 1222.Sleeve pipe 1222 comprises at least one perforate 1224, the decompression pressure communication in itself and the volume governor 1204.The decompression pressure that acts on the food 1220 can keep the position of food 1220 with respect to element 1200.As shown in the figure, when contoured surface moved away element 1200, contoured surface 1230 reduced sleeve pipe 1222.Seal 1206 helps to keep crossing the pressure differential of food, and can make the volume to decompression pressure source (not shown) require to reduce to minimum.

In another embodiment, make food be arranged in a groove and by a grip block or the location finger, mechanically make food be fixed on this groove.Fig. 8 A has shown conveying matrix 800 with the section of crosscut throughput direction.Fig. 8 B has shown a plurality of matrixes 800,800 ', 800 " and 800 .Interconnect matrix 800,800 ', 800 by hinge (not showing) " and 800 , to form a tape loop.Matrix 800 is by supporting member 803 supportings.Similar to Fig. 1, supporting member 803 selectively comprises sliding part 808.Matrix 800 comprises a plurality of grooves 801 that are suitable for receiving food 820.Grip block 830 comprises a holder 831, and this holder can keep food 820 to lean against on the groove 801 at the place, fixed position.Grip block 830 comprises that at least one allows the perforate 832 of printing station (not shown) near food 820.

When forcing grip block 830 to be resisted against on the food 820, can make food be fixed on due position in the groove 801 securely.By conventional method arbitrarily, compress finger 840 and can force plate 830 to be pressed against on the food 820 as what link to each other with cam-follower 841.When the profile (not shown) that it is suitable that cam-follower 841 has moved, finger applies or release pressure to compressing.Between the printing position, exert pressure with the registration of the component image that keeps effectively being applied.For example, be used for slurcam 830 other method on the food 820 of being pressed against and utilize electromagnetic actuators between grip block and the conveyor surface, between the surface of (shown in Fig. 8 A and 8B) above grip block and the grip block, apply elastic force and apply elastic force with towards conveyor surface traction grip block, thereby allow the weight of grip block to act on the food.

Grip block 830 can adopt conventional shape arbitrarily, as opening web and a series of hinged plate.Grip block 830 can comprise the holder 831 of right quantity.Holder 831 can adopt the inner periphery profile of perforate 832.Holder 831 can be made by the material that is different from grip block 830, or is formed by the part of grip block 830.Grip block 831 can be to be suitable for food is pressed from both sides a series of guide grooves, guide member or the placks that leans against in the groove.

Alternatively, groove 801 comprises at least one rubber-like surface portion 804.Elastic part 804 changes and helps to keep the position of food in groove by being suitable for shape with food, and by the food in the groove is cushioned, thereby help to make the damage of food to reduce to minimum.

Do not having under the situation of grip block, food can be fixed on due position yet by holder.Referring to Fig. 9, element 900A is fixed on the conveyor surface 900B.Element 900A comprises a groove 901 that is suitable for receiving food 920.In case holder 931 rotates so that food is in due position with pivot 933, just fixing food 920.In this example, as shown in the figure, holder 931 responsive actuation devices 935 pivot.Can utilize other method easily,, and move holder, so that food is clamped in the conveying groove securely by the elastic force that responds a position sensor for example by electromagnetic actuators.

Alternatively, to 804 descriptions of being done, groove 901 comprises rubber- like part 904A and 904C as above.In addition, as the scheme of selecting, holder 931 also can comprise elastic part 904B.

All can be stably in each above example fixing conveyor surface, simultaneously, the mobile printing station is to print component image in order.In addition, can make printing station and conveyor surface, as long as can keep the registration relation of food all toward each other and/or with respect to ground motion.

After conscientiously having studied the application, obviously, those skilled in the art can make other changes and improvements to the present invention.Except the content that following claim limits, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims (58)

1. one kind forms the method for a plurality of images in basic registration mode on formed food, said method comprising the steps of:

On a formed food, form an image, to form a folder at the first printing station place;

Described folder is delivered to second printing station and by difference that the part of described folder is exerted pressure at the assigned position place described folder is remained in the delivery chute effectively, can keep from the described folder of described first printing station registration relation with respect to described second printing station;

On described folder, form one second image, keep described registration relation simultaneously.

2. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that: described conveying groove comprises an elastic part, and the applying of described pressure differential can promote described folder and be resisted against on the described elastic part.

3. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that: described a plurality of image is formed at least one non-planar surface in the described formed food.

4. method according to claim 3 is characterized in that: at the described first and second printing station places, the described non-planar surface of described food is remained on the top of a conveyor surface.

5. one kind forms the method for a plurality of images in abundant registration mode on formed food, said method comprising the steps of:

On a formed food, form an image, to form a folder at the first printing station place;

Described folder is delivered to second printing station and by described folder being clamped between a part of carrying groove and the holder, can keeps from the described folder of described first printing station registration relation with respect to described second printing station;

On described folder, form one second image, keep described registration relation simultaneously.

6. method according to claim 5 is characterized in that: described conveying groove comprises an elastic part, and described clamping can promote described folder and be resisted against on the described elastic part.

7. method according to claim 5 is characterized in that: described a plurality of image is formed at least one non-planar surface in the described formed food.

8. method according to claim 7 is characterized in that: at the first and second printing station places, the described non-planar surface of described food is remained on the top of a conveyor surface.

9. one kind forms the method for a plurality of images in abundant registration mode on formed food, said method comprising the steps of:

Be resisted against on the groove to promote described formed food effectively by difference that the part of formed food is exerted pressure, keep described formed food to be resisted against with this and be formed on the groove on the conveyor surface;

On described formed food, form one first image, to form a folder at the first printing station place; And

On described folder, form one second image, keep the registration relation of described first image simultaneously with respect to described second image.

10. method according to claim 9 is characterized in that: described conveying groove comprises an elastic part, and the applying of described pressure differential can promote described food and be resisted against on the described elastic part.

11. method according to claim 9 is characterized in that: described a plurality of image is formed at least one non-planar surface of described formed food.

12. method according to claim 11 is characterized in that:, the described non-planar surface of described formed food is remained on the top of described conveyor surface at the first and second printing station places.

13. one kind forms the method for a plurality of images in abundant registration mode on formed food, said method comprising the steps of:

The described formed food of clamping between the part of a groove and holder;

On described food, form first image to form a folder at the first printing station place; And

On described folder, form one second image, keep the registration relation of described first image simultaneously with respect to described second image.

14. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that: described groove comprises an elastic part, and described clamping can promote described formed food and be resisted against on the described elastic part.

15. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that: described a plurality of image is formed at least one non-planar surface of described formed food.

16. method according to claim 15 is characterized in that:, the described non-planar surface of described formed food is remained on the top of described conveyor surface at the first and second printing station places.

17. an equipment that is used for printing the multicolor image that is formed by at least two component images on a plurality of formed foods, described equipment comprises;

One first printing station, it can print one first component image effectively at place, first printing position on described food;

One second printing station, it can print a second component image afterwards effectively at place, second printing position on described food;

One is used to make the conveyor surface that moves to place, described second printing position from the described food in described first printing position, and wherein, described conveyor surface comprises a plurality of conveying groove parts; And

Be used at least one holder that each carries groove part, it can be clamped in described food in the described conveying groove part effectively movably, so that can keep the registration relation of described first component image and described second component image.

18. equipment according to claim 17, wherein: described conveying groove part is suitable for the non-planar surface of described food is positioned the top of described conveyor surface.

19. equipment according to claim 17 also comprises: a grip block, the part of wherein said grip block has formed described holder, described grip block can be with described conveyor surface routing motion so that described food be clamped in the described conveying groove part.

20. equipment according to claim 17, wherein: each described conveying groove part includes a perforate, and described holder extends so that described food is clamped in the described conveying groove part through described perforate.

21. equipment according to claim 17, wherein: each described conveying groove part includes an elastic part, and described holder forces described food to be resisted against on the described elastic part.

22. equipment according to claim 17, wherein: described holder comprises an elastic part, and described holder forces described food to be resisted against on the described elastic part.

23. a formed food, it has a polychrome composograph, and this composograph is formed by at least two component images of at least one non-planar lip-deep edibility printing ink in the sugarcoating layer that is coated on the formed food.

24. formed food according to claim 23, wherein: described food is shaped confectionary food or drug capsules, tablet or tablet.

25. formed food according to claim 23, wherein: described shaped confectionary food has French beans, ellipse or spherical form.

26. formed food according to claim 23, wherein: described formed food is the candy that is coated with sugarcoating layer.

27. a method that is used for forming registering images on formed food, this method comprises:

Formed food is positioned to carry in the groove in the shaping of a conveyor surface, carries the interior precalculated position of groove so that formed food can occupy to be shaped;

At the first printing station place, on formed food and form first component of composograph in the pre-position;

Formed food is delivered to second printing position that is positioned at the first printing station downstream;

To exerting pressure difference so that formed food remains on the pre-position of carrying in the groove with a vacuum hole carrying groove to be communicated with, food is in first and second positions and is transferred between first and second positions simultaneously; And

On food, form the second component of described composograph simultaneously in described pre-position, the abundant each other registration of described first and second composographs.

28. method according to claim 27, wherein: the location of formed food comprised food is arranged in the described groove, so that the non-planar part projection of food exceeds conveyor surface.

29. method according to claim 27, it also comprises: make described vacuum hole be positioned at the deep of described grooving.

30. method according to claim 27, it also comprises: described vacuum hole is positioned on the sidewall of described grooving.

31. method according to claim 27, wherein: describedly apply described pressure differential and be included in the described first and second printing station places and apply first pressure differential, and between described first and second printing stations, apply second pressure differential less than first pressure differential.

32. method according to claim 27, wherein: the described location of described formed food comprises and horizontal and vertically in described conveying groove described formed food being positioned, to avoid occurring deflection and sideslip.

33. an equipment that is used for forming registering images on formed food, described equipment comprises;

A conveyor surface, this conveyor surface comprise at least one forming pockets and a vacuum hole that is positioned at described forming pockets, in a pre-position, in forming pockets described food are carried out laterally, vertically and rotational positioning;

One first printing station, this printing station is along being positioned at the primary importance place on the transport path that forms first component image on the formed food and pre-position;

Second printing station that is positioned at the primary importance downstream, this printing station can be on food, form the second component of described composograph in the mode with the first component image registration of composograph; And

A vavuum pump, this vavuum pump is communicated with vacuum hole and provides pressure differential to described vacuum hole, so that the pre-position that food is remained in the groove makes food on first and second printing stations and between first and second printing stations simultaneously.

34. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: the non-planar part projection of described food exceeds described conveyor surface.

35. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described vacuum hole is positioned at the deep of described forming pockets.

36. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described vacuum hole is positioned on the sidewall of forming pockets.

37. equipment according to claim 33, it also comprises: a valve system that links to each other with vavuum pump, it can apply first pressure differential at the first printing station place and apply second pressure differential less than first pressure differential between printing station.

38. equipment according to claim 33, it also comprises: a vacuum pressure charging system, this system between forming pockets and the vavuum pump and be positioned at transport path below.

39. according to the described equipment of claim 38, wherein: the vacuum pressure charging system comprises first and second portion, described first and second portion respectively below first and second printing stations, the crosscut transport path extends, and a third part, described third part comprises the sub-booster of the transport path extension that is parallel between first and second printing stations.

40. according to the described equipment of claim 39, wherein: first and second parts of described pressure charging system are subjected to the influence of first and second pressure differentials about equally, and the third part of described pressure charging system is subjected to the influence less than the 3rd pressure differential of first and second pressure differentials.

41. according to the described equipment of claim 39, wherein: conveyor surface comprises at least one carrier bar, described carrier bar comprises a row and the same forming pockets of described at least one forming pockets, and the width of described first and second parts or pressure charging system is substantially equal to the width that is arranged as connected in star on the carrier bar.

42. according to the described equipment of claim 41, wherein: the described sub-booster of each in the described third part of described pressure charging system is all corresponding to a groove in the forming pockets described in the described row.

43. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described conveying groove part comprises an elastic part.

44. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described equipment comprises a diversity system and described equipment wholely per hour is output as, at least 1000 of per pass.

45. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described first printing station or described second printing station comprise an offset press.

46. equipment according to claim 33, wherein: described first printing station or described second printing station comprise an ink-jet printer.

47. a carrier bar, it comprises:

A main body, this main body comprise a upper surface and a lower surface;

At least one is formed on forming pockets in the described main body along described upper surface, and described forming pockets comprises a shallow-layer and a deep end; And

At least one vacuum hole, it is formed on the described lower surface and with the described deep end of forming pockets and is communicated with.

48. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: described vacuum hole is positioned at the lowest portion of described deep end.

49. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: the rear side along described deep end is provided with described vacuum hole.

50. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: the front side of described beam and rear side are respectively equipped with a joint tongue and a groove.

51. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: the front side and the rear side of carrier bar have step structure.

52. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: the lower surface of carrier bar comprises a mounting flange, a receiving slit engagement of this flange and carrier bar induction system.

53. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: each described grooving is equipped with at least two vacuum holes at least.

54. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, it also comprises: an elastic component that is arranged in the described deep end adjacent with described vacuum hole.

55. according to the described carrier bar of claim 54, wherein: described elastic component is the O-ring around described vacuum hole.

56. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: each forming pockets is local at least to be formed by a sleeve pipe, and this sleeve pipe can move back and forth along the direction perpendicular to the carrier bar upper and lower surface.

57. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: each forming pockets includes a poroelasticity part.

58. according to the described carrier bar of claim 47, wherein: each described grooving includes ways, and described ways can vertically, laterally reach and make the article that hold in the forming pockets be positioned at the pre-position rotationally.

Images